Well, I don't really care for conifers. I have 2 boxwoods (as seen in the picture) that I only keep for winter interest. I thought about a Rhododendron, as it is one of the few evergreen plants that I truly love. Really, when I garden, it's all about me, me, me. :) Of course I don't want to do something that will send the neighbors packing, but to answer the question, yep--it's really for me. :) I do want something that I can enjoy from the porch, and I get a full view of this from my living room picture window (at all times--we have 2 leaded glass panels on either side of the main window that do not have window treatments, so we can always see the front yard and we don't cover our pretty glass). Yes, we can also look down on it, but chances are we really won't, since the bedroom blinds are nearly always closed. So yeah, I probably need something for winter interest, but I am terrible at giving thought to winter and not much a fan of anything with pine needles. My mom had some pretty hollies, but don't those genreally have to be planted in m/f groups to grow berries? Would a holly look stupid in front of my house? I prefer the rhodie idea, as I think those are more fitting for my home (b. 1912, arts and crafts influence), but is there too much sun is the question I have to deliberate now. Thanks for all the input, everyone. This is my second house, and I learned a lot from my screw ups with the landscape of my first house, but this house is much "cooler" and I am being a lot more careful this time.

my butterfly/humming bird garden is coming along, critters are having a field day and grass is taking over!! gotta love that rain!! LOL actually all my various little gardens are coming along. talla's is coming along. my rr plants are doing great so far, LOL i've planted them in pt shade, how are yours doing? i hope well! LOL i have harvested garlic chives, and sweet william seeds, at least i hope the sweet william wasn't taken to early, this is the first time i've taken these seeds. and hopefully i'll be taking tallas snapdragons seeds pretty soon!! LOL they were tiny little plants. :'))

Nell ~ I love your Azalea walk. Very soothing. I need to make some cuttings from my azaleas, I have two the same, pink and white flowers. Between my blog and my website I don't have time for making more, free or not. It's all I can do to keep up with those two things and reading everyone else's. Maybe this post will inspire others to make pages of their gardens and blooms though. Especially now that it's cold and people are staying indoors more, dreaming about their gardens come spring. It was 48 and felt like it was 42 this morning. For us that is COLD. Have a lovely day ~ FlowerLady

Are we done with the gang mentality? I guess I should have put a smiley face after my comment to botann :) ... Admittedly, a mischievous sense of humour did not translate in that post. My point being that I am aware bamboo doesn't grow "in" water and was struck (again) by how some regular members assume most non-regular posters are novice beginners. But since some took the time to formally announce that I will henceforth be ignored, let me ask the following. Why is anyone who is perceived as challenging or disrupting the "regulars" (even on only one or two occasions) immediately labelled a troll or accused of being "fueled by totally opposite considerations"? I have made dozens of posts on this and other forums because of a genuine shared interest I have in those subjects matters. I have on occasion agreed with the oft-expressed opinion that there is a sense of exclusivity among certain regular posters on this forum, and yet this single post is cited as evidence by George and Ink of an enemy in your midst. Actually my goal is more on promoting Japanese Gardens, and encouraging that interest in others - which is why I suggested Flickr to "adopted". It is inspirational to look through the photos on that site. My original post was nothing but complimentary, supportive and encouraging. That said, I do happen to believe that all should be welcome, that this is not the place for a private social club and I believe I am entitled to that opinion. Isn't this is a public space were people of all stages of interest share information? I don't think it's solely a place were a handful of regular posters should have private debates intended for their own amusement. That leads to the gang mentality witnessed above, whereupon internet cliques form and occasional posters, lurkers or "drop-ins" are made to feel like unwelcome outsiders. Just because someone is not a member of the frequent posters club, why under-estimate their knowledge level? Maybe if all queries are answered as though the posters experience is similar to yours, and not 'talked down' to or ignored, it will be a more enjoyable and educational forum for all. So if some of you have hopes of driving me (like others before me) off the forum, so be it. The fact that you attempt to do this, only speaks to the kind of power/control issues at work here (I disagreed with Inkognito on one single occasion, and he now vocally labels me a troublemaker - fragile ego indeed). No single group owns this forum. Anyone is entitled to visit and occasionally I will post - usually in a supportive and encouraging role. I have learned from some of you, and will continue to do so. However, I promise not to ask any more questions of botann for fear I will get another introductory lesson on the rudimentary basics of bamboo. But as I said, it was a very nice pic. He (or she) has got a lovely garden.